Christian Day to retire from profesional rugby

Northampton Saints can today announce that veteran lock Christian Day will retire from professional rugby at the end of the 2017/18 season.

The 34-year-old second row has been a part of the furniture at Franklin’s Gardens since 2008, winning a plethora of silverware in his time at the Club – including an Anglo-Welsh Cup, two European Challenge Cups, and the Premiership title.

“After 17 years of professional rugby time has caught up with me, but I am extremely proud to have contributed so much at Franklin’s Gardens in ten seasons as a Saint,” said Day.

“I have been battling an injury for some time which will unfortunately prevent me from playing in this season’s remaining fixtures, but I will be continuing to try and help my teammates at Saints as much as I can until my contract is complete..."

Arriving at Saints in 2008 after stints with Sale Sharks and Stade Francais, Day retires with 226 appearances to his name in the Black, Green and Gold jersey – also scoring 16 tries along the way.

The lock also won the Premiership and European Challenge Cup trophies while at Sale, and captained England Under-21s before representing England Saxons.

“Not many rugby players are able to give as much to one club as Christian has done for Northampton Saints,” said Saints chairman John White.

“He was almost ever-present throughout one of the most successful periods of the Club’s history, and he will be missed immensely around Franklin’s Gardens.

“Christian will go down in Saints folklore, but I know he is eagerly anticipating a new challenge, and on behalf of everyone at the Club I wish him all the best for the next stage of his career with the RPA.”